Hammer Enters Open Guilty Plea, will be sentenced next month

A Vandalia woman charged with aggravated battery of a child resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability entered an open guilty plea in Fayette County Court on Tuesday. 24-year old Aubree Hammer appeared with attorney Patrick Schaufelberger and after being read the charges against her by Judge Don Sheafor, Hammer entered an open plea of guilty. The open plea of guilt means that the defendant admits responsibility for the crime she is charged with but does so without a promise of a certain sentence by the state’s attorney. Instead a sentencing hearing will be held and Judge Sheafor will be deciding the sentence for Hammer after hearing evidence from the state and defense as well as any victim impact statements. That hearing has been scheduled for November 15 at 1pm. Hammer is charged with one count of aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13 with great bodily harm or permanent disability which is a Class X Felony and it is punishable by 6-30 years in prison.